The Sages and Heroes of the American Revolution

by L. Carroll Judson

GANSEVOORT PETER entered upon the first stage of human life at Albany, N. Y. on the 16th of July 1749. His taste for military tactics was manifested in his boyhood. When he arrived at manhood he raised a company of grenadiers that elicited the admiration of every beholder. Not one of its members was under six feet—Capt. Gansevoort was six feet three. In point of discipline and martial appearance, this company had no superior. Being a firm Whig Capt. G. was ready to do good service for his country at the commencement of the Revolution. He was appointed a major by Congress on the 19th of July 1795. On the 19th of the next month he took command of the second battalion of the New York forces and shared the perilous campaign with Gen. Montgomery which terminated the life of the latter. Congress made him lieutenant-colonel on the 19th of March 1776 and on the 21st of November of that year appointed him colonel of the 3d Regiment in the Continental army. His defence of Fort Stanwix in August 1777 was one of the most brilliant achievements of the American Revolution. It was besieged by a large body of British, Tories and Indians, commanded by Col. St. Leger, who threatened summary vengeance unless an unconditional surrender was made. He soon found he had waked up the wrong passenger. He was promptly informed that Col. Gansevoort never surrendered. The fort was defended until aid was sent when Col. St. Leger was compelled to leave suddenly. For this brave act Congress recorded him a vote of thanks on the 4th of October of that year. In 1778 he was ordered to Albany—the next year accompanied Gen. Sullivan in his expedition against the Indians and with a chosen band of kindred spirits surprised and took the lower Mohawk castle and a large number of prisoners. In 1781 an arrangement was smuggled through Congress by improper influences that legislated this officer and several other gallant men out of the army to the great mortification of Washington. His native State made him a major-general Of militia. After the war he held the office of sheriff in Albany County—was commissioner to fortify the frontier posts—make treaties with the Indians—military agent of the Northern Department and in 1802 was commissioned a brigadier-general in the army of the United States which he held until the 2d of July 1812 when he was suddenly called from time to eternity at the moment our country needed just such men to conduct the second war of Independence. Gen. Gansevoort was endowed with an unusual share of the noble qualities that dignify a man in public and private life all of which were purified by a life of practical piety.

GIBSON JOHN was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania on the 23d of May 1740. At the age of 18 he was an excellent classical scholar. He was in service under Gen. Forbes when Fort Du Quesne [now Pittsburgh] was taken from the French and Indians. He settled there in 1763 for the purpose of trade. In a short time he was taken prisoner by the Indians and had his life saved by an old squaw who adopted him in the room of a lost son. He was detained several years—became familiar with the language of several tribes—with the general habits of red men which prepared him for future duties. On gaining his liberty he returned to Pittsburgh and served under Lord Dunmore in his expedition against the Shawnee Towns which resulted in a treaty with children of the forest. Gen. Gibson was the mediator and interpreter. To him alone was the celebrated speech of the noble hearted Logan delivered in a copse a short distance from the council ground. By him it was communicated to the other Chiefs and to Lord Dunmore. At the commencement of the Revolution Gen. Gibson commanded a regiment in the regular army—served a short time in New York and New Jersey—was then transferred to his more appropriate place upon the frontiers to keep in check the Indians. After the war he filled various civil stations and was appointed Secretary of Indiana in 1800 and filled the office until the state was formed. He then took up his residence with George Wallace, near Braddock's Field, who had married his daughter with whom he lived until the 10th of April 1822, when his immortal spirit returned to Him who gave it.

GIBSON GEORGE first made his appearance among his friends at Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1747. He was well educated—became a clerk to a merchant in Philadelphia—sailed to the West Indies several times as supercargo and finally went to his brother John at Pittsburgh. There he was employed in a trading voyage down the Ohio and was unfortunate. He changed his location and business several times up to the period of the Revolution when he raised a company of the border men who were not of polished manners but would fight like tigers. With them he joined the Virginia troops at Williamsburgh, Virginia. They were all sharp-shooters of which Lord Dunmore became convinced on the 25th of October 1775 when he attacked Hampton with a naval force and was driven back by this company with considerable loss. Capt. Gibson performed a perilous journey to New Orleans for the purpose of obtaining powder for the army from the Spanish which was a very delicate mission and was performed with skill and success. He returned through the wilderness and Indian tribes and travelled 1800 miles on foot. Wonder how many public functionaries we have now who would perform a similar journey for the sake of their country—even if they should get their mileage, hot toddy, roast beef and $8 per day. On his return he was put in command of a Virginia regiment and joined Lee's division of the Continental army at New York. This division covered the retreat of the main army and formed a junction with it on the west bank of the Delaware. At the battle of Trenton Col. Gibson served under the direct command of Washington. He continued with him and participated in the battles, privations and sufferings of that forlorn hope of American Freedom up to 1779 when the term of his regiment expired. He was then put in command of the prison station near York, Pennsylvania, where he continued to the close of the war. In 1791 he commanded a regiment under Gen. St. Clair and acted a most gallant part in the unsuccessful sanguinary battle of the 4th of November of that year where his regiment was nearly annihilated and himself mortally wounded. He lingered in great pain at Fort Jefferson until the 11th of December following when death relieved him from his sufferings. While living he was the delight of every circle in which he moved—noble, generous, warm hearted, persevering, brave, prudent, just and honest. His well earned fame is enduring as history.

GREENE CHRISTOPHER commenced his earthly career at Warwick, Rhode Island in 1737. He received a good English education—became familiar with mathematics—was partial to military tactics and became a member of the "Kentish Guards" at an early age and was made their Lieutenant. In May 1775 he was commissioned a Major in the brigade under his kinsman Gen. Nathaniel Greene. At the attack on Quebec he commanded a company in the division of Gen. Montgomery and headed the party that entered the town and was taken prisoner. Soon after he was exchanged he was put in command of the regiment previously commanded by Gen. Varnum. In 1777 Washington placed Fort Mercer, at Red Bank on the Delaware, in his charge with only 500 men. This was attacked soon after the battle of Brandywine by Col. Donop on the Jersey side with 1200 men. The enemy were repulsed with great slaughter—Col. Donop, Lieut. Col. Mingerode and several other officers were killed and 400 of their soldiers killed and wounded. At the same time the British fleet and a battery on the Pennsylvania side opened a heavy fire on the contiguous Fort Mifflin, then called Mud Fort, and succeeded in having their favorite ship Augusta, of 64 guns, blown up with a part of her crew and the armed ship Merlin burned—glory enough for one day. Col. Greene received the thanks of Congress and was voted a splendid sword which was presented to his son Job in 1786. In 1781 Col. Greene was posted in advance of the army near Croton river above New York and had quartered his men in several farm houses. On the night of the 13th of May of that year he was suddenly attacked by a superior force of refugees alias tories. They broke into the room of the Colonel who despatched a number of them with his sword but was eventually overpowered and cut up in the most horrid manner. Maj. Flagg was also murdered with every soldier they could find. No officer fell during the Revolution more deeply lamented—no one of his grade better deserved the gratitude and esteem of his country.

GRAEFF GEORGE was born in Lancaster, Pa. in 1755. He was a brave captain in the Continental army and did good service in the cause of Independence. He acted a gallant part at the battle on Long Island in 1776. Subsequent to the war he filled several civil offices with credit and usefulness. He was emphatically an honest man. He died at his native town on the 13th of November 1823.

GRIFFIN CYRUS was one of the bold Virginians who early advocated the glorious cause of Independence. He used every energy to rouse the people to a sense of impending danger. He ably filled various public stations—was a member of the Continental Congress and one of the Presidents of that august assemblage of Sages. He lived in the esteem of his country and associates until 1810 when he made his exit to the spirit world.

GURNEY FRANCIS was first introduced on this whirling planet in Bucks County, Pa. in 1738. His military genius became early developed. He entered the service of mother Britain at the age of 18 and braved the perils and hardships of the French war from its commencement to its close. His reputation for bold enterprise and noble daring he carved high in the temple of epic fame. At the capture of Cape Breton he acted a conspicuous part. At the taking of Guadaloupe his bravery was a subject of general remark. At the close of these arduous services he commenced a successful career in the mercantile business in the city of Philadelphia. There he was when the revolutionary storm loomed up. He looked upon the conduct of mother England as basely ungrateful. He snuffed the breeze of Liberty and struck for Freedom. His noblest energies were roused to action. His large military experience and keen perception enabled him to point out those who were best calculated to make efficient officers. Mifflin, Cadwalader and others were first recommended by him. His zeal and activity in the cause of suffering humanity were above all praise. Believing he could render more service out of the army than in it—he declined a commission until the 25th of May 1775 when he took command of an infantry company of volunteers. The next year he entered the regular service with the commission of lieutenant-colonel in the 11th regiment of the Pennsylvania Line. He was in the battle of Iron Hill, Brandywine and Germantown where he fully sustained his reputation for daring bravery. The wire-working system of promotions that was early introduced and injuriously pursued did not comport with his fine sense of military usage which caused him to resign. This did not abate his zeal in the cause—he continued to advance the best interests of the patriots until he saw his country free from bondage. After the Revolution he resumed his business at Philadelphia—filled many municipal and legislative stations—commanded a regiment in the army of 1794 which put down the whiskey insurgents—became brigadier-general of militia—performed every duty that devolved upon him in public and private life with ability and fidelity—was in all respects a man who commanded the confidence and esteem of all who made his acquaintance—adorned the Christian character and slumbered in death at his country seat near Philadelphia on the 25th of May 1815.

GWINN WILLIAM was born in Ireland in 1748. In 1772 he came to Pennsylvania and from that time to the close of his life manifested a deep interest for the welfare of his adopted country. During the Revolution he served in the staff of Gen. Mifflin and was highly esteemed for his faithful performance of every duty and his uniform zeal in the cause of Independence. After the war he removed to Monkton Mills, Baltimore County, Md. where he lived highly respected until the 1st of October 1819 when he died deeply mourned by his numerous friends.

HALE NATHAN entered upon his eventful career of life at Coventry, Conn. at what time we have no word. He was liberally educated—a young man of great promise and entered the army at the commencement of the Revolution in command of a company under Col. Knowlton. He was at the battle of Long Island on the 27th of August 1776 and one of the 9000 who effected a retreat during the night to the great chagrin of the British who were encamped not over 600 yards from the Americans. Shortly after that disastrous affair Washington employed Capt. Hale to enter the English camp as a spy. Unfortunately he was detected and executed the next morning by order of Sir William Howe under circumstances of fiendish barbarity that left a black spot upon the escutcheon of that proud officer that time or angel's tears can never expunge. He was denied a clergyman and a bible and the letters that he wrote to his widowed mother and relatives were destroyed. He died a brave and willing martyr to the cause of Liberty and lamented with his last breath that he had but one life to sacrifice for his country. How great the contrast between the course our country has pursued in memory of this young hero and that of England towards Andre. In point of talent and exalted character, Hale was equal to him. The one was engaged as a simple spy—the other was in league with a base traitor on a grand scale. The one has no extended notice in our history—the other has been lauded to the skies by the historians of both nations. Not a stone marks the resting place of Capt. Hale—a splendid monument has been erected by England sacred to the memory of Andre. The family of the one was neglected by our government—that of the other pensioned in a princely manner. The fact that our nation was then just bursting into life is the only apology to be offered.

HAMILTON ALEXANDER was born on the Island of Nevis in 1757. His father was an Englishman, his mother an American and brought him to New York in 1773 and placed him in Columbia college. His towering genius burst upon the world like a blazing meteor in the darkness of night. At the age of 17 he grasped the mighty concerns that were then rocking England and America in the cradle of fearful commotion. He then wrote several essays upon the rights and wrongs of the two nations that were attributed to Mr. Jay. College walls could not keep him from the field of glory. At the age of 19 he commanded a company of artillery and was ever ready for a little more grape when it could be used to advantage. He soon attracted the attention of the penetrating Washington who appointed him one of his aids in 1777 with the rank of lieutenant-colonel. A selection was never more judiciously made—no commander could be better served. From that period to the close of the war our country was benefited by the combined wisdom and noblest efforts of two of the brightest constellations of genius that have ever illuminated our world. In every battle where Washington commanded Col. Hamilton was at his post regardless of danger. When the two destructive redoubts were carried at the siege of Yorktown facing a storm of iron hail he led the advanced corps under La Fayette. Not a gun was fired—the charge was like a rushing avalanche. The surrender of that garrison closed his Revolutionary services. His manly brow was decked with epic laurels that can never lose their amaranthine freshness whilst patriotic fire glows or history endures.